Hatch cover system

ABSTRACT

A hatch cover system comprising a hatch coaming and a number of horizontally movable cover sections. A set of rails mounted on the hatch coaming and serving as tracks to rollers mounted on the cover sections. Vertically moveable rail sections spaced correspondingly to the roller spacing on the cover section. Vertically extendable devices mounted on the hatch coaming in association with the vertically moveable rail sections. Horizontally extendable locking devices mounted in the hatch coaming adapted to engage the cover sections. A rotatable shaft mounted on the hatch coaming longitudinally of the same. Arms secured to the rotatable shaft and cooperating with the vertically and horizontally extending devices, respectively, such arms being angularly displaced relatively to each other.

United States Patent [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,092,065 6/1963 Kummerman 1 14/202 3,415,014 12/1968 Hamilton 1 14/202 X Primary Examiner-Andrew H. Farrell Attorney-Watson, Cole, Grindle and Watson ABSTRACT: A hatch cover system comprising a hatch coaming and a number of horizontally movable cover sections. A

set of rails mounted on the hatch coaming and serving as tracks to rollers mounted on the cover sections. Vertically moveable rail sections spaced correspondingly to the roller spacing on the cover section. Vertically extendable devices mounted on the hatch coaming in association with the venically moveable rail sections. Horizontally extendable locking devices mounted in the hatch coaming adapted to engage the cover sections. A rotatable shaft mounted on the hatch coaming longitudinally of the same. Arms secured to the rotatable shaft and cooperating with the vertically and horizontally extending devices, respectively, such arms being angularly displaced relatively to each other.

Patented Dec. 14, 1971 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOF' BY K191. ){OU-I-I/ ATTORNI Y Patented Dec. 14, 19.71 3,626,889

4 Sheets-Sheet 5 mm H Q Jazz-4 /\%/../4 M l a-.-

Patented Dec. 14, 1971 3,626,889

4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

INVENTOR HATCH COVER SYSTEM The present invention relates to a system of covers for hatches aboard ships or similar openings, of the type wherein the covers comprise sections provided with wheels for horizontal movement along the hatch coaming and wherein the coaming is provided with rail sections which may be vertically moved for the purpose of lifting/lowering of the cover sections from battening to running position and vice versa.

It is previously known various systems of such devices for vertical movement of cover sections, wherein all rail sections are moved simultaneously, the motion means being mechanically or hydraulically coupled.

However, as the cover section dimensions are constantly increasing, difficulties have been met in the efforts for a sufficiently quick and effective battening.

The object of the present invention is a system which ensures simultaneous battening along the entire length of the hatch coaming in a desired time relation to the total vertical movement of the section. According to the invention, this is achieved thereby that each device used for the vertical movements of the cover sections is coupled to a shaft which is rotatably supported along the hatch coaming and extends in the running direction of the cover sections and which is provided with devices for the battening of the cover sections. In this manner a structurally simple device is obtained, which ensures that the battening operation is performed in absolute dependency of the height position of the cover section relatively to the hatch coaming.

A structurally very simple and rugged system is obtained when the longitudinally extending shaft is provided with arms, each cooperating with a lifting device for the cover sections, so as to rotate the shaft during vertical movement of the cover sections. The horizontal battening movements in dependency of the rotation of the longitudinally extending shaft, may be obtained in any suitable manner, such as by mans of eccentrics, but it is particularly convenient to so form the system that the longitudinally extending shaft is provided with arms each of which is adapted to cooperate with a battening device, for the horizontal movement of the same to and from locking position of the cover sections by rotation of the shaft.

For the purpose of ensuring the time displacement between the vertical movements of the cover section and the horizontal movements of the battening system, which is required in order that the battening and release are to be performed in the correct height position of the cover, the system may be so fon'ned that the turning and battening arms of the longitudinally extending shaft are angularly displaced relatively to each other, so that the battening devices become effective only when the cover sections are in lowered position relatively to the hatch coaming.

In a system according to the invention, the battening system may be made very simple and efficient thereby that each battening system comprises a latch which is supported for horizontal longitudinal movement in the hatch coaming and adapted to cooperate with a projection on, or an opening in a skirt depending from the cover section.

The transfonnation of the vertical movements of the lifting devices to swinging movements of the arms of the longitudinally extending shaft, and further to horizontal movements of the battening devices, in particular when the latter are in the form of latches, conveniently may be obtained thereby that the arms of the longitudinally extending shaft are adapted to engage and thereby cooperate with recesses in the lifting and battening devices, respectively.

In conclusion, it may be stated that all parts included in the system of the invention are structurally very simple, they are easily manufactured and secure in operation, without any particular need for surveillance, lubrication etc.

Under reference to the accompany drawings, an example is now to be described of how the system of the invention may be made and functions. In the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a part of a section of a hatch coaming with cover, and a system according to the invention.

FIG. 2 and 3 are vertical sectional views of a lifting device, in lifted and lowered cover position, respectively.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are corresponding sectional views of a battening device, in released and locked position, respectively.

Reference is first made to FIG. 1, the reference numerals used therein being also used in the remaining figures.

In the drawings, 1 is a hatch coaming which carries a longitudinally extending rail 2 adapted to cooperate with running wheels 3 mounted on a hatch cover section 4. Immediately undemeath the positions occupied by the running wheels 3, when the cover is in closed position relatively to the hatch coaming, the rail 2 is interrupted and a rail section 5 is introduced. This section 5 may be vertically moved for the purpose of simultaneous lifting/lowering of all running wheels and thereby the cover section. In FIG. I, the cover section is shown in lifted position. There is a clearance between the top edge 6 of the hatch coaming l and the side flange 7 of the section 4, and the top of the rail section 5 is in alignment with the top of the remainder of the rail 2, so that the wheels 3 are presented with a continuous track, and the section 4 may be horizontally run along the hatch coaming l. The situation is shown to a larger scale in the remaining figures.

The vertical movements of the rail section 5 is effected by means of a hydraulic jack 8, FIG. 1, which is stationary mounted at 8 on deck or on a bracket on the hatch coaming. One jack 8 is arranged to each rail section 5, Le. to each running wheel 3, and all the jacks are controlled in common, so as to operate in complete synchronism.

The plunger of the jack 8 acts upon a rod 9 which may be made in one piece with the rail section 5, or mechanically coupled to the same. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the rod 9 is provided with a stop member 9' which, in cooperation with a guide F on the hatch coaming l limits the upward movement of the rail section 5, so as to make the same, when in lifted position, accurately align with the rest of the rail 2 so that the cover sections may be moved without shocks.

Now, in accordance with the invention, the rod 9 is provided with a slot 10, particularly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and a rotatable shaft 11 is mounted longitudinally of the hatch coaming l and provided with solidly secured arms 12, one arm to each lifting device, with the end of each arm 12 engaging a slot 10. Consequently, when the rod 9 is vertically moved, for the lifting/lowering of the rail section 5, the arm will follow, thereby performing a swinging movement, to the eflect that the shaft 11 is rotated.

The side faces of the cover section 4 is provided with a number of brackets or skirts 13, FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, each having a projection 14 extending inwardly towards the hatch coaming l, and at the same time, the hatch coaming is provided with projections 15 positioned immediately above the projections 14 when the cover section is in position for the closing of the hatch. Adjacent to each skirt 13, the shaft 11 is provided with a solidly secured arm 16 which, consequently, will perform a swinging movement when the shaft is rotated by the action of the rod 9 on the arms 12. The free end of each such arm 16 engages a slot 17 provided in a latch 18 which is mounted for horizontal, rectilinear movement through the swinging movement of the corresponding arm 16. Each such latch 18 is guided in guides provided in supports 19 and 20 on the hatch coaming l, and is adapted to be introduced into the space between the projection 14 on the cover section and the projection 15 on the hatch coaming, so that the cover section be locked, battened, relatively to the hatch coaming, FIG. 5. For the sealing of the contact surfaces of the cover sections and the hatch coaming, a sealing batten 21 is solidly secured to the cover, and adapted to yieldingly engage the top 6 of the hatch coaming 1, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and 4 and 5, respectively.

The arms 12 and 16 are secured to the shaft 11 in such angular positions, relatively to each other that when the rail section 5 is lifted, the latch 18 is moved out of engagement with the projections 14 and 15, and when the rail section 5 is again lowered, the latch 18 is moved outwardly to battening position, provision being made for a sufiicient back-lash in the movement of the rod 9 prior to the lifting of the cover section to ensure that the battening by means of the latch 18 is released before the lifting of the cover section is commenced.

I claim:

1. A cover system for use on ship hatches and similar openings, comprising a number of cover sections, pairs of rollers mounted on horizontal shafts on such cover sections, a hatch coaming supporting longitudinally extending rails comprising rail sections distributed along the length of the hatch coaming at distances corresponding to the distances between the shafts of the cover section rollers, number of vertically extendable devices provided on the hatch coaming each in cooperation with one of the said rail sections, a number of horizontally extendable cover section locking devices, a rotatable shaft extending longitudinally of the hatch coaming and provided with a number of arms each adapted to cooperate with the vertically and horizontally extendable devices, respectively.

2. A system as claimed in claim l wherein the arms provided on the longitudinally extending shaft are adapted to engage a recess in the associated horizontally and vertically extendable device, respectively.

3. A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the arms provided on the longitudinally extending shaft and cooperating with the vertically and horizontally extendable devices, respectively, are angularly displaced relatively to each other.

4. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the horizontally extendable devices comprises a latch member mounted for sliding movement in the hatch coaming and adapted to engage an upwardly facing surface on the corresponding cover section.

t i III 

1. A cover system for use on ship hatches and similar openings, comprising a number of cover sections, pairs of rollers mounted on horizontal shafts on such cover sections, a hatch coaming supporting longitudinally extending rails comprising rail sections distributed along the length of the hatch coaming at distances corresponding to the distances between the shafts of the cover section rollers, number of vertically extendable devices provided on the hatch coaming each in cooperation with one of the said rail sections, a number of horizontally extendable cover section locking devices, a rotatable shaft extending longitudinally of the hatch coaming and provided with a number of arms each adapted to cooperate with the vertically and horizontally extendable devices, respectively.
 2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arms provided on the longitudinally extending shaft are adapted to engage a recess in the associated horizontally and vertically extendable device, respectively.
 3. A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the arms provided on the longitudinally extending shaft and cooperating with the vertically and horizontally extendable devices, respectively, are angularly displaced relatively to each other.
 4. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the horizontally extendable devices comprises a latch member mounted for sliding movement in the hatch coaming and adapted to engage an upwardly facing surface on the corresponding cover section. 